Unemployment pay for striking workers? CT Democrats say yes, but Gov. Lamont could stand in the way
State Senate Democrats said the striking worker bill is a top priority this year. But Gov. Ned Lamont still has deep concerns.
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Top Democrats in the Connecticut Senate reintroduced a controversial proposal to pay striking workers on Wednesday. The legislation would extend unemployment benefits after two weeks on the picket line.
But the idea faces long odds.
Not only are Republicans lining up against it, so is Gov. Ned Lamont – who vetoed the bill last year.
THE COST OF STRIKING
When workers hit the picket lines, it can hit them in the wallet. Some unions’ striking worker funds only pay them $100 per day.
“Many people have had a relative or know someone who was out of strike,” said state Sen. Julie Kushner (D-Danbury), a longtime labor organizer.
On Wednesday, Democrats in the state Senate announced that the striking worker legislation will be one of their top priorities this year. Workers would qualify for unemployment benefits after 14 days.
“Workers should not be required to suffer or be under economic pressure that might make them cave to a settlement that's not fair,” said Senate President Martin Looney (D-New Haven).
OPPOSITION MOUNTING
But is paying workers who are on strike fair to businesses? Republicans said no.
“I have a big concern that this concept could be tipping the scale in favor of one side in a private labor dispute,” said newly elected state Rep. Joe Canino (R-Torrington).
Others think it’s unfair to taxpayers, too.
“If you’re going on strike voluntarily and you are refusing to work and you are not looking for work, you’re in violation of all three structural concepts that define what unemployment compensation insurance is for,” said state Sen. Rob Sampson (R-Wolcott), the top Republican on the General Assembly’s Labor and Public Employees Committee.
But Republicans aren’t the only obstacle. Gov. Ned Lamont vetoed a similar bill last year.
“I want to make sure that we have a strong labor to be able to negotiate at the table,” he told reporters in May 2024. “Does that mean I want the taxpayers subsidizing striking workers? I don't think I do.”
Last year’s legislation would have created a $3 million “Connecticut Families and Workers Account” administered by the state comptroller – a way to avoid hitting businesses with higher unemployment premiums. Lamont blasted fellow Democrats for swapping out an unrelated bill in the final days of the legislative session.
This year, supporters hope to change the governor’s mind.
“We’re going to appeal to his sense of justice and fairness,” Looney said.
Kushner also plans to make an argument based on numbers.
“I think one of the concerns was the impact on the unemployment trust fund and would it impact the solvency,” she said. “I think we are now seeing evidence from New York and New Jersey that demonstrates that this is not going to have a significant impact.”
WAREHOUSE WORKERS PROTECTION ACT
The Democrats’ bill also includes protections for warehouse workers, mainly at more than a dozen Amazon fulfillment centers across Connecticut. It would ban severe productivity quotas and guarantee workers bathroom breaks.
The bill has failed twice before amid pushback from Amazon and business groups. Previous versions allowed workers – as well as the state – to sue companies who violate the rules. Facilities with too many injuries could also face a state labor investigation. Business groups told lawmakers that would have a chilling effect.
“This would result in injury to employees and increased turnover at a time when employers are spending exorbitant amounts of money just to find and retain employees,” Eric Gejde with the Connecticut Business and Industry Association testified in 2023.
